What We Do

Insects have an immune system that allows them to live undisturbed when they are infected with a virus that is deadly to human beings. Why is this and how does this immune system work? Could we manipulate this immune system and therefore prevent humans from getting infected by mosquito bites? We aim to answer these questions through our research.

Using our favorite experimental model, the fruit fly Drosophila melano gaster, we aim to better characterize the insect immune defense against insect-borne viruses (arboviruses) that are responsible for thousands deaths every year worldwide.